The Dolphins' offensive coordinator refers to 2000, when the Jets made Pennington the third of four first-round draft picks.

"I was hoping for a receiver to tell you the truth," said Henning, the Jets' offensive coordinator at the time.

Pennington's meticulous ways and study habits quickly won Henning over.

Eight years later, Pennington's efficiency and consistent play have the Dolphins (9-5) contending in the AFC East and serve as a shining example to his understudies, Chad Henne and John Beck.

"[Pennington] spends more time here than any other player," Henning said. "He comes in on Mondays, he comes in on Tuesdays, and he has a routine that he goes through, which is very good. You can't miss this if you're Chad Henne. ... Or if you're John Beck."

Each week Pennington usually assigns Henne and Beck game film of opponents to break down. He wants a report on a defense's tendencies in different down-and-distance situations the next morning.

He needs to know whether the Chiefs play zone or man during the two tight end formation and empty backfield sets, and whether the blitz pressure comes from the edge or up the gut on third-and-short.

"The people upstairs take a certain group of games and break those down, but Chad wants all the games," said Beck, who is in his second NFL season. "I come back and tell him what I saw, what they did, and point out plays for him to watch.

"The biggest part of a quarterback's game is to be prepared, and he doesn't miss a beat."

As a result of Pennington's mentoring, Beck is confident he has drastically improved his recognition of defenses.

"You may see certain coverages in college, but that coverage in the pros has three or four different tweaks to it," Beck said. "He's taught me some things he's learned over the years to identify those tweaks."

Henne, a rookie who has only played in one game, said Pennington has taught him that details matter in the NFL.

On the sideline during games, Henne and Beck routinely go over in-game pictures with Pennington, and they regularly point things out. Henne said he and Beck get a thrill when Pennington incorporates something they've identified.

All three view their relationship as a partnership.

"Sometimes he'll come to the sideline, and if he didn't know what he saw out on the field, he'll be like, 'Hey, what do you think this cover was with this certain route,' and we'll tell him," Henne said. "John writes everything down so we kind of have a picture. We communicate before Chad comes off. Once we go over the pictures you don't want to be too demanding, just let him go about his business, look at the thing and if he asks you a question give him input."

According to Pennington, learning from experienced veterans helped speed up his development. From Vinny Testaverde, the quarterback whom he served as an understudy, Pennington mimicked his detail-oriented nature, and learned the benefit of sharp practices.

He said Curtis Martin taught him about professionalism and work ethic, and Wayne Chrebet provided a blueprint for route running, and instilled the significance of perseverance.

"I had some really good guys to learn from," Pennington said. "You can have all of the physical talent in the world, but if you don't prepare in this league, and this game, it will humble you really quickly."

Henne and Beck admit they've been humbled by how much they've learned about preparation this season. At some point during their careers the Dolphins hope they'll have an opportunity to show it.

Omar Kelly can be reached at

okelly@SunSentinel.com

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